Erik Gunther dot com

Chris Daughtry

Even before Stevie Wonder week challenged the 12 finalists on American Idol, his songs had proven popular among the show’s early contestants. After Wednesday’s broadcast, searches on the Motown hitmaker were flying like a ribbon in the sky, soaring 32% and propelling the legend into our top 600 searches. Searches for his lyrics, songs, and biography were also humming.

Towering above the rest of Stevie’s songs in Search was the appropos “Higher Ground,” which climbed 45% after Chris Daughtry brought down the house with a rockin’ Chili Peppers flavored version of the tune. Other Wonder-ful songs hitting a high note in Buzz included “Until You Come Back to Me” (performed by Katharine McPhee), “Superstition” (performed by Bucky Covington), “Blame It on the Sun” (performed by Kellie Pickler), and “Knocks Me off My Feet” (performed by Elliott Yamin). The night’s most confusing performance — 16-year-old Kevin Covais singing “Part-Time Lover” — didn’t impassion searchers. We can’t wait to see how the young man who’s been labeled “Chicken Little” fares during the upcoming ’50s week.